USAID/Ukraine Solicitation for a Project Management Assistant (Democracy & Governance), FSN-9 (Cooperating Country National only)

Overview

Assist with planning, management, and reporting for democracy and governance projects.

You have:

• Minimum of college/university studies in political science, economics, international relations, conflict mitigation, or a related field.
• Minimum of at least three years of progressively responsible experience in development assistance or project management.
• Level IV (fluent) English ability for reading, speaking, and writing is required.
• Ukrainian (Level IV).

Solicitations open to: Ukrainian Nationals (Residency/Ukrainian Work Permit)

Solicitation No.: 720-121-23-R-10056

Position Title: Project Management Assistant (Democracy & Governance)

Issuance date: November 27, 2023

Closing date and time: December 14, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Kyiv Time

Work hours: 40 hours (Full time)

Position Grade: FSN-9

Market Value: Basic Annual Rate (in U.S. Dollars): $28,376- 36,890 In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Ukraine. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

Place of Performance: Kyiv, Ukraine

Period of Performance: Five-Year Period of Performance with possibility extension

Security Level Required: Facility Access

STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The USAID Mission to Ukraine (the Mission) is responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of USAID-funded programs operating throughout Ukraine. The Mission provides assistance to promote Ukraine’s transition to a democratic, prosperous, stable, healthy country united in its European aspirations.

USAID/Ukraine Office of Democracy and Governance (ODG) manages a large, dynamic portfolio of contracts and cooperative agreements that work to strengthen the rule of law and judicial independence; further Ukraine’s decentralization process and build the capacities of newly-consolidated communities; increase civic engagement and the role of civil society; strengthen anti-corruption champions; promote transparency and accountability of government, particularly in services delivery; counter trafficking in persons; support responsive and accountable political processes, including free and fair elections; and build confidence between citizens and government in eastern Ukraine. ODG actively participates in the Mission’s Development Objective teams that are related to reducing corruption, strengthening democratic governance, and mitigating the impacts of Russia’s aggression.

The Project Management Assistant (“the Assistant”) assist with the planning, management, monitoring, reporting, and evaluating required to effectively administer the projects within ODG’s portfolios. The incumbent will also help organize and maintain databases, files, and other information, and furthermore be required to summarize complex information in a succinct and easy to understand reports, presentations, talking points, and one-pagers. Lastly, on behalf of ODG, the incumbent will be expected to liaise with contractors, international donors, government actors, and multilateral institutions.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Activity Management and Procurement: 40%

The incumbent’s primary responsibility is to assist in the management of ODG’s technical assistance activities. Duties include:

• serving as the activity manager or alternate AOR/COR for ODG activities;
• keeping the ODG informed on the progress of implementing partners;
• reviewing and analyzing activity documentation submitted by implementing partners;
• providing programmatic recommendations to the ODG team in order to effectively pivot work or resolve implementation issues;
• preparing procurement documentation for necessary actions, including statements of work, GLAAS packages, checklists, and budgets;
• assisting with the financial management tasks related to ODG’s activities, such as preparation of quarterly accruals and pipeline analyses;
• conducting meetings with partners and site visits to monitor ODG projects, which may require travel outside of Kyiv;
• maintaining correspondence with partners and program stakeholders;
• tracking partner performance against activity objectives and results;
• tracking partner reporting; ensuring complete reports are submitted on-time and reported results are consistent with the contract or agreement;
• staying abreast of best practices and policies and current research on the DG sector through courses, professional literature, and other resources; and
• maintaining AOR/COR award files and project files

Administrative, Communication and Reporting Support: 40%

The incumbent is responsible for providing administrative, communication, and reporting support to the ODG team. Duties may include:

• drafting and editing English language reports on activity issues and accomplishments related to ODG activities;
• preparing briefing materials on activities and activity budgets, preparing GLAAS requisitions
• coordinating ODG’s contributions to information and reporting requirements for, but not limited to, the Annual Report, Operational Plan, Activity Data Sheets, briefing papers, and program review materials;
• tracking the activities of other donors/international organizations involved in ODG sectors;
• communicating with representatives of contractors, grantees, non-government actors, and other entities, to obtain information related to ODG portfolios;
• coordinating meetings for the ODG portfolios; and
• assisting the ODG teams to respond to general inquiries, including providing translation support occasionally.

Coordination, Representation and Communication: 20%

The incumbent will help represent ODG priorities in communication with stakeholders. Duties include:

• meeting with representatives from the USG, the international donor community, civil society, business associations to share information on behalf of ODG and coordinate ODG programming.
• presenting and explaining the ODG portfolios at various coordination events;
• representing ODG at routine Mission and Embassy meetings.

The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the U.S., or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

Supervisory Relationship:

The Specialist is directly supervised by the ODG Deputy Office Director or their designee.

Supervisory Controls: None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demand.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE:

Education: Education: Minimum of college/ university studies in political science, economics, international relations, conflict mitigation, or a related field.

Prior Work Experience: Minimum of at least three years of progressively responsible experience in development assistance or project management.

Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) English ability for reading, speaking, and writing is required. Ukrainian (Level IV).

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS:

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The Contracting Officer reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the Contracting Officer determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the Contracting Officer may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed.

Selection Process and Basis of Evaluation: Offerors who meet the minimum education and work experience qualification requirements will be further evaluated through review of the offeror’s submitted required documents (see points below) and ranked based on the evaluation and selection factors. A competitive range may be established of the highest-ranked offerors, who may be further evaluated through technical/language tests, interviews, and reference checks to determine the most qualified/highest-ranked offeror. Reference checks may be conducted with individuals not provided by the offeror, and without prior notification to the offeror. Any offeror not receiving satisfactory reference checks will no longer be considered for the position. Negotiations may be conducted with the most qualified/ highest-ranked offeror at the conclusion of evaluations.

40 points – Knowledge: Knowledge of project management principles as well as Ukraine’s current political, economic, social and cultural environment—especially issues related to political reforms. Furthermore, a good working knowledge of the institutions, government actors, non-government organizations, and private sector actors whose engagement is necessary to successfully implement economic reforms in Ukraine is essential.

60 points – Skills and Abilities: The following skills and abilities are essential for this position:

• ability to analyze and synthesize complex data; ability to plan, manage, prioritize, and complete tasks from various sources;
• excellent listening, writing and verbal communication skills—including presentation skills;
• ability to recognize significant developments and trends with respect to implementation of Ukraine’s reforms, as well as the ability to identify the impact on program implementation;
• strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain contacts with counterparts, other donor agencies, and international organizations;
• teamwork skills, including the ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural, team-based environment under tight deadlines;
• demonstrated ability to handle sensitive issues with professionalism, tact and diplomacy, including matters that require resolving disagreements or potentially divisive issues;
• strong learning agility and the ability to effectively adapt to new or changing situations;
• strong organizational and time management skills;
• excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, Gmail, and Google Suite is required.
• a high level of computer literacy is required, including the ability to design and prepare user-friendly and informative reports, matrices, and slide decks using appropriate computer software; and
• a willingness to travel to within Ukraine.

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS: 100 points

HOW TO APPLY:

Eligible Offerors are requested to submit a complete application package which must include all the required documents in English electronically to [email protected] with Subject line: Project Management Assistant (Democracy & Governance) (720-121-23-R-10056).

ANY/ALL application submissions received after the closing date will not be considered.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

1. Cover Letter: A memo or email that outlines how your qualifications and experience meet the selection criteria.
2. Application for Employment (DS-174): The form can be downloaded from this link https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds174.pdf.

Offerors must thoroughly complete the DS-174 form in English and are advised to include all of their current and previous work experience related to this position. Offerors may use continuation pages to further explain their relevant work experience, if needed. AND;

3. Current Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV): The CV/resume must contain sufficient relevant information to evaluate the applications in accordance with the stated technical evaluation criteria, listed above.

IMPORTANT:

IN ORDER TO HAVE YOUR APPLICATION CONSIDERED, YOU MUST SUBMIT ALL THREE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. IF YOU OMIT ANY OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, COVER PAGE, CV or DS-174 FORM, YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Note:

• This vacancy is open to Ukrainian Nationals (Residency/Ukrainian Work Permit Required).
• Applications with insufficient, incomplete and inconsistent information to make a determination will not be considered.
• No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained.
• Offerers who are applying for this position must fully meet the education requirement (graduated and degree and/or diploma already received) as specified. At the time of applications, candidates must also meet in full the experience requirement.
• Short-listed candidates will be requested to provide educational documents such as degrees, diplomas, certificates and other pertinent documents (passport, proof of residency or work permit) as needed. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in the rejection of their application from further consideration.
• The Agency retains the full right to cancel or amend the solicitation and associated actions at any time.

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES:

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a CCN PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances in accordance to the Mission Policy:

BENEFITS

• Health and Life Insurance coverage: Provided under the Compensation Plan.
• Defined Contribution Plan: Upon separation, a lump sum benefit equal to 12% of the basic salary earned for the duration worked under the appointment.

ALLOWANCES (as applicable)

• Meal Allowances: The annual amount is $853 for employees working on a full-time basis.
• Family Allowances: The mission provides a child allowance. Grants amounts are subject to change as determined by the Ukrainian State Budget Law.
• Unique Conditions of Work Allowances/ Benefits: 10% of Basic Rate Additional information may be provided to the selected offeror at the time of the salary offer.

TAXES:

Taxes apply and are deductible as per the Ukrainian government regulations.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs:

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN and TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts with a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms.

Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO

(A)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)

(B)

QUANTITY

(C)

UNIT

(D)

UNIT PRICE

(E)

AMOUNT

(F)

0001

Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)

- Award Type: Cost

- Product Service Code: R497

- Accounting Info: Agency/B Code: 797

1

LOT

$ TBD

$ TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor

Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

USAID Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPD-20-08): Leave and Holidays for CCNs and TCNs, available at https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs/aapd-20-08

Ethical Conduct: By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations

PSC Ombudsman:

The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

52.204-27 PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED JUN,2023

APPLICATION

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO):

The U.S. Mission in Ukraine provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or transgender status), national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion, marital or parental status, veteran status, membership in an employee organization, political affiliation, or involvement in protected equal employment opportunity (EEO) activity. USAID/Ukraine also strives to achieve equal employment opportunities in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

File: USAID/Ukraine Solicitation for a Project Management Assistant (Democracy & Governance)

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: usaid.gov